"For Messenger alone, we had over 3 million unique users, 3.5 million updates to display pictures, 6.2 million video calls, and 7.6 million updates to status messages.

"Your beta feedback and usage has helped shape the many improvements we've made and continue to make across Messenger, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Writer, Mail, and Family Safety."

Facebook chat

One of the key additions is integration of Facebook chat into messenger - with a huge overlap between users of the social network and Microsoft's online applications.

"Many of you have been asking for Facebook chat, and it's finally here," adds Jones.

" More than half of all Messenger customers also use Facebook. With the new Facebook chat integration, you now...have one place to chat with all your friends.

"And if you use Facebook but don't use Messenger today, you now have an always-on "people app" on your PC that gives you instant access and notifications as people come online in Facebook or Messenger."

Other improvements listed by Microsoft are:

A quicker Messenger – The time it takes to sign in, and to refresh contacts and social feeds, as well as animation speed, are all faster than in previous versions of Messenger.